Wristband

ABSTRACT

A wristband is made of one or more segments. Each segment has a curved plastics substrate and a curved metallic layer laminated upon the substrate. The metallic layer includes a graphic. A curved light-transmissive plastics outer layer is laminated upon the metallic layer so that the graphic can be seen through it.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to wristbands, bracelets and watchbands. The invention more particularly, although not exclusively, relates to a laminated watchband having an internal visible graphic or logo.

SUMMARY

A wristband comprises internal graphic features that are visible.

A wristband comprises a plurality of segments, wherein each segment comprises:

-   -   a plastics substrate;     -   a metallic layer laminated upon the substrate, the metallic         layer including a graphic; and     -   a light-transmissive plastics outer layer laminated upon the         metallic layer so that the graphic can be seen therethrough.

Preferably, the graphic is etched to the metallic layer.

Preferably, the graphic includes perforations.

Preferably, the substrate is opaque and visible through the outer layer and perforations of the metallic layer.

Preferably, the substrate and outer layer are made of acetate.

Preferably, the metallic layer is stainless steel or aluminium.

Preferably, the substrate, metallic layer and outer layer are curved.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Preferred forms of the present invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a schematic plan view of a wristband segment;

FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional elevation of the wristband segment of FIG. 1 taken at II-II;

FIG. 3 is a schematic laminate-exploded cross-sectional elevation of the wristband segment of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a close-up cross-section of a portion of the wristband identified at IV in FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a schematic elevation of a watch including a pair of the wristband segments;

FIG. 6 is a schematic plan view of another wristband segment or link;

FIG. 7 is a schematic cross-sectional elevation of the wristband segment of FIG. 6 taken at VII-VII;

FIG. 8 is a schematic laminate-exploded cross-sectional elevation of the wristband segment of FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a close-up cross-section of a portion of the wristband identified at IX in FIG. 7;

FIG. 10 is a schematic plan of a watchstrap including a plurality of the wristband segments;

FIG. 11 is a schematic elevation of a watchstrap including a plurality of the wristband segments; and

FIG. 12 is a schematic cross-sectional elevation of the wristband segment of FIG. 6 taken at XII-XII.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In FIGS. 1 to 4 of the accompanying drawings there is depicted a segment 10 of a wristband. The segment 10 comprises a substrate 13 which is curved to fit around a wrist. The substrate 13 is typically made of opaque plastics material such as acetate. The substrate 13 might be coloured.

Laminated upon the substrate 13 is a thin metallic sheet 12. This might be aluminium or stainless steel for example. The thin metallic sheet 12 follows the curvature of the substrate 13. The metallic sheet 12 includes a graphic image. This may comprise alphanumeric characters or other graphic information. The image could be laser etched upon the metallic sheet 12, laser cut therethrough or otherwise formed upon or through the metallic sheet 12 to form patterned apertures or surface printing.

Laminated upon the thin metallic sheet 12 is a curved outer layer 11. This is also typically formed of acetate material and follows the curvature of the substrate 13 and metallic sheet 12. The outer layer 11 is light-transmissive. It could be transparent, translucent or tinted with colour. As such, the graphic of the thin metallic sheet 12 is visible through the outer layer. Furthermore, should some or all of the features of pattern comprise apertures, the substrate 13 could be seen therethrough.

The wristband segment 10 would typically be formed by moulding first the substrate 13, then applying the thin metallic layer 12, and then followed by moulding the outer layer 11 thereupon.

As shown in FIG. 5, a typical application includes a watch case 15 and a pair of wristband segments 10 connected by hinge pins 14 and/or a clasp.

FIGS. 6 to 12 illustrate an alternative embodiment in which the wristband segments 10 are in the form of short links—a multitude of which are held together by pins 14 to form a watchband. Each short link is formed in the same manner as described for the embodiment of FIGS. 1 to 5.

As shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, a typical application is a watchband 16 made up of segments 10 connected by the pins 14 passing through the pin apertures.

It should be appreciated that modifications and alterations obvious to those skilled in the art are not to be considered as beyond the scope of the present invention. For example, the substrate could be light-transmissive rather than opaque. Also, it should be noted that the metallic sheet might not extend the whole way to the edges of the laminate. As such the substrate and outer layer might connect directly to one another about the periphery of the metallic sheet 12. 

1. A wristband comprising a plurality of segments, wherein each segment comprises: a plastics substrate; a metallic layer laminated upon the substrate, the metallic layer including a graphic; and a light-transmissive plastics outer layer laminated upon the metallic layer so that the graphic can be seen therethrough.
 2. The wristband of claim 1, wherein the graphic is etched to the metallic layer.
 3. The wristband of claim 1, wherein the graphic includes perforations.
 4. The wristband of claim 3, wherein the substrate is opaque and visible through the outer layer and perforations of the metallic layer.
 5. The wristband of claim 1, wherein the substrate and outer layer are made of acetate.
 6. The wristband of claim 1, wherein the metallic layer is stainless steel or aluminium.
 7. The wristband of claim 1 wherein the substrate, metallic layer and outer layer are curved. 